Former planning board chairman seeks County Council seat for District 2

Royce Hanson left his mark on Montgomery in the nearly 15 years he spent as chairman of the county planning board and he hopes to continue that work as the County Council's District 2 representative.

Hanson stepped down from the planning board when his term expired in June. He was appointed to the position in 2006 after Clarksburg residents uncovered hundreds of site plan violations in their community. During his time as chairman from 1972-1981 he oversaw the creation of the county's Agricultural Reserve, a 93,000-acre area set aside for the preservation of farmland.

"The county is at sort of a defining moment in its history and we're going to decide in the next few years if this is going to be a good place or a bad place for our children and grandchildren," said Hanson, 78, of Montgomery Village. "I've spent my life dealing with these issues and I think I can be helpful. It's not really a time for amateurs."

Hanson has an extensive background in academics, research and public service; he served two years in the U.S. Army and was a Democratic nominee for Congress in 1964 and 1966. He has been a dean and professor at several universities; received multiple planning, conservation and public service awards; held leadership positions on academic, government and nonprofit committees and boards; consulted for local governments and federal agencies, and lectured and written on law, planning and public policy.

Hanson said his priorities include expanding the county's public transportation system, strengthening the Ag Reserve, completing Clarksburg and the Germantown Town Center, increasing school capacity and closing the student achievement gap, restoring the library system and increasing incentives for environmentally friendly building.

Hanson sometimes clashed with the council toward the end of his last term as planning chairman and recently criticized what he described as attempts by the executive branch to circumvent the planning process for political reasons.

"I don't have any problems with disagreements," Hanson said. "I think that's how you arrive at answers to problems."

The council seat has been held by Councilman Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown since 2002. Knapp announced in June that he would not seek a third term.

District 2 includes Damascus, Poolesville, Olney, Laytonsville, Boyds, Barnesville, Germantown, Clarksburg and Montgomery Village. Hanson is running against Sharon Dooley of Olney, Charles E. Kirchman of Germantown, Eddie Kuhlman of Poolesville and Del. Craig Rice of Germantown in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary election. The winner will face Republican Robin Ficker of Boyds in the general election Nov. 2.

Royce Hanson

Residence: Montgomery Village

Age: 78

Party: Democrat

Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, University of Central Oklahoma (formerly Central State College); master's degree in government and public administration, American University; doctorate in government and public administration, American University; law degree, Washington College of Law, American University

Work experience: Research professor, George Washington Institute of Public Policy, George Washington University (2003-2006); dean, associate dean and professor at multiple universities; held leadership positions on multiple academic, government and nonprofit committees and boards; consulted for local governments and federal agencies; and written extensively on law, planning and public policy

Family: Married to Mary for 52 years; three grown children; four grandchildren

Top three issues: Fiscal sustainability, growth and transportation and protecting the environment and Agricultural Reserve

Campaign funds: $41,587. Fundraising goal of $50,000

Previous political experience: Commissioner (1971-1981) and chairman (1972-1981, 2006-2010) of the Montgomery County Planning Board; Democratic nominee for Congress, 1964 and 1966; worked on multiple political campaigns

Other affiliations: Veteran, U.S. Army; received multiple planning, conservation and public service awards